Romantic and Gothic Genres

Romanticism Late 18 th to mid 19 th Century movement in literature, arts, philosophy, politics Rejects “precepts of order, calm, harmony, balance, idealization, and rationality that typified Classicism in general and late 18th-century Neoclassicism in particular” (“Romanticism”) The Neoclassic period valued reason, formal rules, and demanded order in beauty.

Romanticism Revolt against restrictions of aristocratic ideas of 18 th cent. Emphasized imagination, emotion Language of everyday people Idealized nature and “natural” lifestyles (farmers, shepherds); pastoral settings

Romanticism (Reaction to industrialization and urbanization)— Literary settings became more exotic Inspired by medieval ballads, courtly tales (knights/damsels), and supernatural Believed in the importance of the individual: daring, rebellious, and free to express emotions. Poets experimented with rhyme, meter, and subject

Romaticism Interest in human rights Sentimentality Melancholy Interest in the gothic

Romanticism William Wordsworth Samuel Taylor Coleridge Lord Byron (George Gordon) John Keats Percy Bysshe Shelley Mary Shelley Emily Bronte Charlotte Bronte Jane Austen Victor Hugo Paul Verlaine Charles Baudelaire

Romanticism Victor Hugo called Romanticism “liberalism in literature.” It freed the artist and writer from restraints and rules. Walter Pater thought the addition of strangeness to beauty defined the Romantic movement. A current definition: a psychological desire to escape from unpleasant realities.

“A genre that creates terror and suspense, usually set in an isolated castle, mansion, or monastery populated by mysterious or threatening individuals” (Kennedy and Gioia, G15). Gothic Literature

Developed as a genre in 18 th century Devoted to tales of horror, the darker, supernatural forces English Gothic form originated with Horace Walpole’s novel The Castle of Otranto (1764). Gothic Literature

Derives its name from similarities to medieval Gothic architecture Also derives name from a barbaric Germanic tribe, the Goths

Gothic Architecture Majestic, unrestrained architectural style Savage, often grotesque ornamentation

Gothic Architecture “Gothic architecture used pointed arches and vaults, flying buttresses, narrow spires, stained glass windows, intricate traceries, and varied details; its upward movement was meant to suggest heavenward aspiration” (Melani)

Vaulting arches Gothic Architecture

Spires reaching to the heavens

Gothic Architecture Wild carvings depicting humanity in conflict with supernatural forces

Gothic Architecture Adam and Eve with the serpent 

Saints, Notre Dame, Paris  Gothic Architecture

Saints, Notre Dame, Paris  Gothic Architecture

Gothic Architecture in Literature “[exploiting] claustrophobic interior architecture… dungeons, crypts, torture chambers, locked rooms, and secret passageways” (Kennedy and Gioia, G15)

Gothic Architecture & Literature Focuses on humanity’s fascination with the grotesque, the unknown, and the frightening, inexplicable aspects of the universe and the human soul. Portrays human individuals in confrontation with the overwhelming, mysterious, terrifying forces found in the cosmos and within themselves. Pictures the human condition as an ambiguous mixture of good and evil powers that cannot be understood completely by human reason.

Gothic Literature  The human condition as a paradox—humans are divided in the conflict between opposing forces in the world and in themselves.  Human nature’s depravity, the struggle between good and evil in the human soul, and the existence of unexplainable elements in humanity and the cosmos are prominent themes in Frankenstein.

Motifs in Gothic Literature A motif is a repeated theme, image, or literary device. Look for these common supernatural/Gothic motifs in Frankenstein. Doppleganger Forbidden Knowledge (Faust Motif) Satanic Hero Multiple Narrative Dreams and Visions Signs and Omens

The Doppelganger A second self or alternate identity Represents opposing forces in human nature Suggests humans have a double nature

The Faust Motif: Forbidden Knowledge or Power Hero attempts to control supernatural powers Ambition leads to fall Dr. Faustus makes a deal with the Devil 

Fallen Hero becomes a Monster Or, confronts a monster who is his double Like Satan, he defies the rules of God’s universe Frankenstein’s Monster  Monster/ Satanic Hero/ Fallen Man

Multiple Narrative Series of secret manuscripts or multiple tales Narrative spirals inward to hidden truth Narrator compelled to speak to captive listener The Ancient Mariner tells his tale 

Dreams / Visions Reveal hidden truths of the unconscious mind The hidden knowledge of the universe and of human nature emerges through dreams because, when the person sleeps, reason sleeps, and the supernatural, unreasonable world can break through.

Signs / Omens Reveal intention of cosmic forces Often represent psychological or spiritual conflict

Other Gothic Motifs Blood Madness Haunted Castle or House Graveyards/Churches/ Ruins Murder Demons/Devils/Witches/ Angels Incest and sexual perversion Value reversals Mistaken/secret identities Dichotomies Innocence victimized by evil Magic Talismans

Works Consulted Farris, Speed. English 12 & AP Literature. Course home page. English Department, La Costa Canyon High School, San Dieguito Union High School District. 28 Aug Path: Information Links; Romantic/Gothic Genres Powerpoint. Kennedy, X. J., and Dana Gioia, eds. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. 9th ed. New York: A.B. Longman, Melani, Lelia. English 79: The Gothic Experience. Course home page. 24 Oct Dept. of English, Brooklyn College, New York. 1 Sept Path: English 79: The Gothic Experience; Gothic Defined. “Romanticism.” Encyclopedia Britannica ed. Britannica Online. Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1 Sept “The Romantic Period.” The Norton Anthology: Norton Topics Online. Ed. Jack Stillinger and M. H. Abrams W.W. Norton and Co. 1 Sept Unknown. “The Gothic and the Supernatural: A Thematic Approach to Selected Literary Works.” University of Virginia Library. 31 Aug NOTE: This source owes most of its ideas, content, notes and images to Prof. Shari Hodges and her course on Gothic Literature offered by the English Department, University of Mississippi; and to Franz Potter’s site on Gothic Literature: